Weight shifting mechanism for exercising

ABSTRACT

The user pushes against an arcuately movable pedal, the pedal being connected through a mechanism to pivot a weighted beam about a fixed fulcrum. A weight is guided for movement along the beam and is moved by a motor also supported on the beam. The motor and the beam are so mounted that positive or negative force bias can be imposed upon the object engaged by the user. A remote indicating means shows the position of the weight on the beam.

United States Patent [72] Inventors William G. Annas [56] ReferencesCited UNITED STATES PATENTS Sierra Madre, Calif.;

m e n um m mfi m mm nm N. "r .1 m mm M "0 "s m Mm flw.wo a en LES CW. R0300 0246 r 9999 we 1111 n ni 0623 mm 1 mm 8578 E 8332 t 5 Wm 42 2 a nu1.23 PA D r h 0 .m C M ll m t .l m m .m t. u m 0 rn E hfl e i .m m m u CH 8 1 1. F 9 mw m .m3 A ud a0 W7OAPL 0 06 P nr mmfi AFPA 11111] 12532247 [[[l Attorney-F lam and Flam [54] WEIGHT SHIFTING MECHANISM FOREXERCISING ABSTRACT: The user pushes against an arcuately movable 8Claims, 3 Drawing Figs.

pedal, the pedal being connected through a mechanism to 2 2/31 pivot aweighted beam about a fixed fulcrum. A weight is [51] Int. A63b2l/00,guided for movement along the beam and is moved by a motor A63b 23/00also supported on the beam. The motor and the beam are so [50] Field272/81, 70, mounted that positive or negative force bias can be imposed80, 79; 73/379; 177/245,25l (lnquired), 235, upon the object engaged bythe user. A remote indicating means shows the position of the weight onthe beam.

237, 236; 246/122 (A) (inquired), 167 (A) PATENTED APR 6 new 3573;865

sum 1 or 2 3 3% did N TTOE/VEVJ.

PATENTEU APR 6 1971 SHEET 2 [IF 2 5 & WW2 -NN m m wdm p 2 M 5 ML mWEIGHT SIIIFIING MECHANISM FOR EXERCISING BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThis invention relates to exercising devices, particularly machinesdesigned and intended for installation in gymnasiums, health spas andthe like. More particularly, the invention relates to apparatus foradjusting the load imposed on the object engaged and moved by the userof the exercising device.

One well-known system for adjusting the load comprises a stack of weightbars guided for vertical movement by guide pins. A flexible cable isconnected at one end to the object moved by the user, and at the otherend to a rod that passes through aligned openings in the stack of weightbars. A pin is used to connect one of the weight bars to the rod wherebythat bar and all above it are lifted with the cable. Adjusting theweight load by this apparatus, although seemingly simple, is nonethelessconsideredtoo tedious by many users, especially women. Another problemis that the weight load cannot be adjusted through a continuous range.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a mechanism that canbeadjusted through a continuous range in a simple manner such as theoperation of pushbutton controls. Another object of this invention is toprovide apparatus of this character in which both positive and negativeloads can be imposed upon the weight system. Still another object ofthis invention is to provide a weight mechanism of this character thatcan be connected to any exercising apparatus.

This invention possesses many other advantages and has other objectswhich may be made more clearly apparent from a consideration of oneembodiment of the invention. For this purpose, there is shown a form inthe drawings accompanying and forming a part of the presentspecification, and which drawings are true scale. This form will now bedescribed in detail, illustrating the general principles of theinvention; but it is to be understood that this detailed description isnot to be taken in a limiting sense, since the scope of this inventionis best defined by the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS DETAILED DESCRIPTION In FIG. I, theframework of an exercising device is exposed to view, its enclosurehaving been removed. The framework includes a rectangular base I and arectangular upright 12. The base includes side frame members 14 and 16,a central frame member 18 located between and paralleling the side framemembers 14 and 16, as well as end frame members 20, 22 and 24. Theupright 12 includes three posts 26, 28 and 30 respectively resting onthe frame members 14, 16 and 18. The upright 12 also includes a bar 32connecting the upper ends of the posts 26, 28 and 30. Braces 34, 36 and38 are provided for the upright 12.

The central frame member 18, the brace 38 and the post 30 extend in avertical plane that substantially bisects the framework. On one side theuser is seated. On the other side is a weight system. A seat 40 isadjustably mounted on a base 42 The weight system located on the otherside of the framework includes a beam 58 that extends substantially theentire length of the base 10. The beam 58 is pivoted for movement abouta transverse horizontal axis located near the back of the base 10. Forthis purpose, a bracket 60 is connected to the undersurface of the beamand attached to a shaft or fulcrum 62, the ends of which are supportedby bearing blocks 64 and 66. The frame members 20 and 24 form stops,limiting opposite tilting movement of thebeam 58. A weight assembly 68is supported in such manner that it can be positioned wherever desiredalong the length of the beam 58.

The pedals 44 and 46 are connected to the beam 58 in such manner thatmovement of the pedals 44 and 46 away from the user results in theapplication of force to lift the beam 58 against the torque imposed bythe weight assembly 68. For this purpose, a gear set 70 and 72 isprovided as well as a sprocket wheel 74, a flexible chain 76 and a link78. The end of the shaft 52 projects beyond the bearing block 56 andinto the space between the posts 26 and 30 and above the beam 58. Thegear 70 is carried on the end of the shaft 52. The gear 72 is mountedupon a shaft 80 supported by the bearing blocks 54 and 56 as well as athird bearing block 82 carried on the side post 26. One end of theflexible chain 76 is secured to the sprocket wheel 74, and the other endis attached to the link 78.

The link 78 is in the form of a square loop, the lower side of the loopbeing formed by a circular bar 84 that extends through a bearing bracket86 depending from the beam 58. The looped configuration of the link 78allows free passage of r the weight assembly 68 to the forward end ofthe beam 58.

for movement forwardly and rearwardly. Pedals 44 and 46 are mounted uponthe upright 12 and positioned to be engaged by the feet of the seateduser as shown in FIG. 3.

The pedals 44 and 46 are attached to a crossarm 48 (FIG. 1) carried atthe lower end of a lever 50. The upper end of the lever 50 is connectedto a shaft 52 supported for movement about a horizontal axis near thetop of the upright 12. For this purpose, bearing blocks 54 and 56 areprovided that are attached to the posts 28 and 30.

As the pedal lever 50 is moved angularly about its shaft 52 from thefull-line position of FIG. 3 to the phantom-line position, the chain 76wraps around the sprocket wheel 74 and the link 78 is lifted. When thelever is released, the chain 76 remains taut. Thus, in the rest positionof the weight system in which the front end of the beam 58 contacts thebase frame member 24, the pedal lever 50 is inclined toward the seat 40.The weight of the pedal lever 50, accordingly, imposes a torquesufficient to provide a slight force adequate to maintain the chain 76taut.

The weight assembly 68 comprises two weight elements 88 and 90, each, inthis instance, in the form of rectangular parallelepipeds. A top plate92 connects the weight elements 88 and and holds then in spaced parallelrelationship. Rollers 94 and 96 are located between the spaced weightelements 88 and 90 and supported on fore-and-aft parallel axis 98 and100 fitted to the elements. The rollers 94 and 96 rest on the uppersurface of the beam 58, with a substantial portion of the weightelements 88 and 90 extending beneath the level of the axles 98 and 100to provide stability.

In order to move the weight assembly 68, a motor 102 and a gear eductionmechanism 104 are provided. The motor and transmission mechanism aresupported upon a pad 106 at the rear end of the beam 58. A lead screw108 is mounted above the beam 58, with its ends supported by bearingblocks 110 and 112. The transmission mechanism 104 is coupled to thelead screw 108. The lead screw I08 threadedly engages a follower or nut114 secured to the top of the connecting plate 92. Depending upon thedirection of movement of the lead screw 108, the weight assembly 68 isshifted in one direction or the other.

Either the motor 102 or the transmission mechanism 104 is reversible. Inthe present example, the motor 102 is of the reversible type andcontrolled by pushbuttons 116 and 118 projecting from a switch housing120 attached to the side of the seat base 42. The buttons 116 and 118 ina well understood manner operate switches to control the motordirection.

An indicator 122 operated by a flexible cable 124 connected to thetransmission 104 shows the position of the weight assembly 68 along thebeam 58. The indicator 122 may be calibrated in terms of weight or load.

When the weight assembly 68 is moved toward the fulcrum or shaft 62, theeffort required to move the pedals 44 and 46 is small. When the weightassembly 68 is moved outwardly, the effort required is increased.

The extent of angular movement of the beam 58 is kept small by suitablechoice of gear ratios.

The motor 102 and transmission 104 to some extent counterbalance theweight assembly 68. Accordingly, the beam 58 is in equilibrium when theweight assembly 68 is forward of the fulcrum 62. A negative bias can beimposed upon the weight system by moving the weight assembly 68 farthertoward the rear end of the beam 58. By suitably choosing the position ofthe fulcrum relative to the weights of the motor 102 and transmission104 and the weight assembly 68, the extent of the positive and negativebiases can be determined. In the particular exercising device shown, anegative bias is not provided since the flexible characteristics of thechain 76 preclude this. However, in other applications where theconnections between the object engaged by the user and the beam arerigid, the negative bias may provide for pulling as well as I pushingoperations.

Pushbuttons 126 and 128 control movement of the seat 40 so as to adjustits spacingfrom the pedals 44 and 46.

We claim:

1. In a weight mechanism for exercising apparatus having a part engagedby the user: a beam; means mounting the beam for angular movement abouta substantially horizontal fulcrum axis; weight means mounted on thebeam for movement therealong; reversible drive means'mounted on the beamfor shifting said weight means; remote control means for operating saidreversible drive means to position said weight means through acontinuous range; and linkage means for connecting the beam to saidapparatus part.

2. The combination as set forth in claim 1 together with remoteindicating means calibrated in weight and a flexible cable connected'atone end to said reversible drive means to be moved therebysimultaneously with movement of said weight means and operativelyconnected at the other end to said remote indicating means to actuatethe same.

3. The combination as set forth in claim 1 in which said fulcrum axis islocated intermediate the length of said beam, said drive means beinglocated at one end of the beam and said weight means being movablecontinuously on opposite sides of a position in which said drive meansand said weight means are counterbalanced.

4. The combination as set forth in claim 3 in which said linkage meansincludes a link of loop configuration connected to an intermediateportion of said beam and providing clearance for movement of said weightmeans therethrough.

5. The combination as set forth in claim 4 together with remoteindicating means calibrated in weight and a flexible cable connected atone end to said reversible drive means to be moved therebysimultaneously with movement thereof said weight means and operativelyconnected atthe other end to said remote indicating means to actuate thesame.

6. The combination as set forth inclaim l in which said linkage meansincludes a link of loop configuration connected to anintermediateportion of said beam and providing clearance for movement ofsaid weight means therethrough.

7. The combination as set forth in claim 1 in which said drive meansincludes a lead screw paralleling said beam and a follower nut carriedby said weight means and engaging said lead screw.

8. In a weight mechanism for exercising apparatus having a part engagedby the user: a beam; a narrow bracket depending from the beam; a fulcrumfor said bracket providing movement of said beam about a substantiallyhorizontal axis; a weight assembly having a pair of spaced weightelements connected together and extending on opposite sides of saidbeam;

. rollers carried by said weight elements and supporting said weightelements for movement along said beam; a lead screw paralleling saidbeam; a follower nut carried by said weight assembly and engaging saidlead screw; reversible ower means carried at one end of said beam forrotating sai lead screw;

the beam to said apparatus part, including a link of loop configurationthrough which said beam and lead screw extend and through which saidweight assembly is movable, there being a narrow bracket depending fromsaid beam and connected to the lower side of said link loop.

1. In a weight mechanism for exercising apparatus having a part engagedby the user: a beam; means mounting the beam for angular movement abouta substantially horizontal fulcrum axis; weight means mounted on thebeam for movement therealong; reversible drive means mounted on the beamfor shifting said weight means; remote control means for operating saidreversible drive means to position said weight means through acontinuous range; and linkage means for connecting the beam to saidapparatus part.
 2. The combination as set forth in claim 1 together withremote indicating means calibrated in weight and a flexible cableconnected at one end to said reversible drive means to be moved therebysimultaneously with movement of said weight means and operativelyconnected at the other end to said remote indicating means to actuatethe same.
 3. The combination as set forth in claim 1 in which saidfulcrum axis is located intermediate the length of said beam, said drivemeans being located at one end of the beam and said weight means beingmovable continuously on opposite sides of a position in which said drivemeans and said weight means are counterbalanced.
 4. The combination asset forth in claim 3 in which said linkage means includes a link of loopconfiguration connected to an intermediate portion of said beam andproviding clearance for movement of said weight means therethrough. 5.The combination as set forth in claim 4 together with remote indicatingmeans calibrated in weight and a flexible cable connected at one end tosaid reversible drive means to be moved thereby simultaneously withmovement thereof said weight means and operatively connected at theother end to said remote indicating means to actuate the same.
 6. Thecombination as set forth in claim 1 in which said linkage means includesa link of loop configuration connected to an intermediate portion ofsaid beam and providing clearance for movement of said weight meanstherethrough.
 7. The combination as set forth in claim 1 in which saiddrive means includes a lead screw paralleling said beam and a followernut carried by said weight means and engaging said lead screw.
 8. In aweight mechanism for exercising apparatus having a part engaged by theuser: a beam; a narrow bracket depending from the beam; a fulcrum forsaid bracket providing movement of said beam about a substantiallyhorizontal axis; a weight assembly having a pair of spaced weightelements connected together and extending on opposite sides of saidbeam; rollers carried by said weight elements and supporting said weightelements for movement along said beam; a lead screw paralleling saidbeam; a follower nut carried by said weight assembly and engaging saidlead screw; reversible power means carried at one end of said beam forrotating said lead screw; remote control means for operating said powermeans; said weight assembly being movable through a continuous range inwhich said power means opposes and supplements the weight assembly inloading said beam; and a linkage for connecting the beam to saidapparatus part, including a link of loop configuration through whichsaid beam and lead screw extend and through which said weight assemblyis movable, there being a narrow bracket depending from said beam andconnected to the lower side of said link loop.